The organization leases homes in the Sacramento area and then sub-lets rooms to the homeless or to people in danger of becoming homeless.

This is the fourth year for the gingerbread house decorating competition. After prizes are awarded, the houses are put up for auction.

John Folely with Sacramento Self-Help Housing says the entries have varied in the past from the traditional gingerbread house to a gingerbread state capitol with a homeless person on the steps.

"There's all kinds of ways people can do it, but it's basically the idea that people love to have a home and homeless folks of course don't. We're wanting to move in the direction of helping homeless people not be homeless anymore."

Foley says the event itself became homeless this year when the old location at the Downtown Plaza was torn down to make room for the arena.

The new home is the community room here at Capital Public Radio.

The public is invited to view and buy the houses at auction starting at 5:30 tonight.

Bob is the Sacramento Region Reporter. He has been at the forefront of the coverage of the Sacramento Kings' saga and the effort to build a new arena in Sacramento. He also covers education, business, environment, and sports stories. Read Full Bio